My Red Eared Slider has a severe eye infection? What can I do?

Question

My turtle, has some kind of sever eye infection. Both her eyes are very swollen up. She can't even open her eyes. Its like her eye lids are sealed or something. I can see her eyes are open within. But yet her eye is swollen and sealed.

She can't open them. And is unable to see anything. And its not even eating anything.

The vet's here dont have any idea about this species. The one I met earlier thought it was an eye infection and now the vet belives its a viral. And the turtles immune system needs to develop further.

If pic's would help let me know. I will mail her eye snaps ASAP.

Thanks

My turtle, has some kind of sever eye infection. Both her eyes are very swollen up. She can't even open her eyes. Its like her eye lids are sealed or something. I can see her eyes are open within. But yet her eye is swollen and sealed.

She can't open them. And is unable to see anything. And its not even eating anything.

The vet's here dont have any idea about this species. The one I met earlier thought it was an eye infection and now the vet belives its a viral. And the turtles immune system needs to develop further.

Thanks

Link to my turtles pictures: I just uploaded them.

http://ballz.info/Turtles/Daisy.htm

Answer 1

This is very common in turtles for two main reasons, poor water quality leading to an eye infection (bacterial) and second reason is b/c it has a vitamin A deficiency.

For the vitamin A deificiency, take it to a vet and give it a lose dosed injection of vitamin A into the legs. Too much is toxic. You'll need to change your diet for your turtles as well.

If the water has been dirty, which is the cause of the eye infection, clean out the eye and give it human eye ointments. If you can find a vet with reptile experience, antibiotics will speed up the procedure.

It does not matter the species of turtle, the treatment is the same. Generally, most reptile vets in the US give it a vitamin A shot; that is often standard treatment. I forget the dosages for the different turtle sizes. Clean the eyes out with human over the counter drops.

Here is a link from ATP on eye problems:
http://www.austinsturtlepage.com/Care/medeyes.htm

Answer 2

Did you have a vet treat the eye infection? Blindness is a definate possibility, and from the little info you gave, my guess would be, yes, it sounds like he/she is at least partially blind. Was the infection in both eyes or just one? If just one, that there is a good chance that he/she still can see from his/her other eye, and when you sneak up on his/her bad side she/he hets startled. Sounds like you should get confimation from your herp vet, there may be some drops that could help. Looks like you will have a special needs turtle for the rest of his life...thats ok though, just keep spending the time to feed him/her by hand and he/she will thrive and be just fine, it is not common though. Good luck to the both of you.

Answer 3

Contact fish and game office and see if they can direct you to someone that is able to help. It is odd however that there is not a vet in your area that knows what is wrong red eared sliders are common turtles not like some exotic.

Answer 4

Chances are it's Vitamin A defiency. It causes their eyes to seal up like that. You need to take her to a vet ASAP and they will confirm this diagonisis and give her a Vitamin A shot. Also you need to make sure her diet is exactly what she needs.

Answer 5

I would try a scale rott treatment if there is infection elsewhere also. If not, there isn't much to do.

Answer 6

Ask on this forum...it's all about red ear sliders:

http://redearslider.com/forum/index.php

Answer 7

I am a dog person, all i would suggest is.......contact seaworld and ask them if they have a solution as they work will many sick sea animals.............good luck..

Answer 8

i need pic

Answer 9

ask the group red eared sliders in yahoo, they r VERY information!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 10

try this